All baseball games shall be played by the Official Regulations and Playing Rules of LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL®, INC. as established for the current playing year. The priority of rules and regulations for this League shall be as follows:

Official Regulations and Playing Rules of LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL®, INC.

Operating Manual for LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL®, INC.

Coventry Little League Local Rules and Policies

No rule or policy may be adopted within the League that is or may be in direct conflict with any rule, regulation or policy contained in publications of a higher priority as listed above.

SAFETY

All managers, coaches and other volunteers must adhere to the Coventry Little League ASAP Plan (Safety Manual). The ASAP plan is handed out to each manager prior to their first practice and a copy can be obtained on the Coventry Little League website.

All male players are required to wear athletic support at all times during games and practices

GAME PRELIMINARIES

me Team:

Provide the umpire with at least two (2) balls suitable to the umpire for play. Provide additional balls as required.

Teams:

Prepare the baseball field before and after each game - including raking and chalk lines

Provide official scorekeeper and pitch counter for game - check at end of each inning

START OF GAME

All games shall start at the scheduled time except for changes approved by the League President, Division Vice President, or Division Director.

TIME LIMIT

No new inning shall be allowed to begin after ninety (90) minutes from the actual starting time of the game (excluding Majors). The head umpire, or home team Manager if no umpire, will announce the start time (when the first pitch is thrown) to both teams.

GROUND RULES

Ground rules shall be established between the team Managers and umpires, as applicable, before the start of the game.

All Divisions

BATTING ORDER/LINE UPS

The batting order shall be continuous and shall consist of the players present on the team for the game. Players arriving after the start of the game will be added on to the end of the roster.

AAA/Majors only: Players arriving after their team’s line-up has batted through one time is ineligible for the game. (e.g. a late arriving player may not bat after the first hitter in the line-up steps to the plate for their second at-bat)

PERSONS ALLOWED ON THE FIELD

The players and up to three adults (Manager and two (2) coaches) are the only individuals allowed on the field or in the dugout during games. In the event that a Manager or coach is absent, a parent or volunteer designated by the Manager and already registered with CLL as a volunteer may substitute. One adult must remain in the dugout when there are players in the dugout.

Tee Ball/Single A: Additional volunteers are allowed on the field to assist play.

RULES, PARTICIPATION AND DEMEANOR

All players must remain on the field or seated in the dugout during the game. A player cannot leave the field or dugout to sit in the stands or purchase food or drink from the concession stand once the game has begun except to use the restroom or for treatment of an injury or illness.

ON DECK

No player shall be “on deck” during a game. ONLY THE FIRST BATTER OF THEIR TEAMS’S HALF-INNING MAY HAVE A BAT IN THEIR HANDS TO WARM-UP AND MUST BE IN AN AREA OUTSIDE THE BATTERS BOX WHERE NO PERSON IS NEAR THEM BEFORE SWINGING.

Majors/Triple A: At the manager’s discretion, players may coach a base, but must wear a helmet.

FOOD IN DUGOUT

No food or drink shall be brought into the dugout during the game except for a drinking container containing water or other suitable beverage.

POSTPONEMENTS

Games will be postponed by the Divisional Director due to weather conditions at least 1½ hours prior to game time. The Divisional Director will reschedule the game based on field availability. It is the Manger’s responsibility to notify the team of postponements and rescheduled games.

GAME RULES

Game rules are played as described in the Little League Official Rules Handbook and the local rules described in this document. No gentlemen’s agreements contrary to these regulations are allowed.

Tee Ball

PITCHING

All players hit off of a tee.

If a player is ready to hit a pitched ball after mid-season, the coach (adult only) may pitch a maximum of five (5) hittable balls. If the batter fails to hit the ball into fair territory after these pitches the Tee must be put in place by the coach and the batter will continue the “at bat” hitting off the Tee.

Players may not pitch.

BALLS AND STRIKES

No balls or strikes shall be called.

BASES ALLOWED ON A HIT BALL

One base per runner on a ball hit to the infield.

Two bases allowed on a ball hit to the outfield.

Runners may not advance as a result of an overthrow.

If a play is made in the field resulting in the batter or runner being out the runner is out.

BASE STEALING

Base stealing is not allowed.

END OF HALF INNING RULE

A half inning shall be completed when every player has had an at-bat. The final batter, and all players on base, runs all the bases to home.

PLAYING TIME

Each team split into two groups so that there are two simultaneous games playing. One group pairing plays in the infield, one in the outfield, switching after half a game is played.

Players spread out to all infield positions except catcher. Each player shall have the opportunity to play at different defensive positions each game. SAFETY is the highest priority when the Manager or Coach positions their players on the field.

TIME LIMIT

No new inning may begin following the 1 ½ hour mark of the game start.

STANDINGS

There are no standings or win/loss records in the Tee Ball Division and there are no forfeits. All games are played regardless of absentees.

Single A

PITCHING

The coach (adult only) may pitch a maximum of five (5) hittable balls to each batter. If the batter fails to hit the ball into fair territory after these pitches the Tee must be put in place by the coach and the batter will continue the “at bat” hitting off the Tee.

Players may not pitch.

At the discretion of the manager, the catcher position may be used for pitched balls only. Catchers must bring their own gear and adhere to all safety regulations. The league does not supply catcher’s equipment for Single A.

BALLS AND STRIKES

NO balls or strikes shall be called.

BASES ALLOWED ON A HIT BALL

On a hit ball the runner may not advance past the next base when the ball returns to the infield.

Runners may not advance as a result of an overthrow.

BASE STEALING

Base stealing is not allowed.

BATTING RULE

A half inning shall be completed after the 6th batter of the inning has hit. Last inning should attempt to bat through line-up so everyone bats an equal number of times; time permitting.

PLAYING TIME

ALL team players shall be utilized in the field for defense. All infield positions except catcher shall be filled and the remaining players shall be spread throughout the outfield. Each player shall have the opportunity to play at different defensive positions each game. SAFETY is the highest priority when the Manager or Coach positions their players on the field.

TIME LIMIT

No new inning may begin following the 1 ½ hour mark of the game start.

STANDINGS

There are no standings or win/loss records in the A Division and there are no forfeits. All games are played regardless of absentees.

Double A

PITCHING

Players pitch to a limit of 4 balls or a strikeout. However a pitched strike (called or swinging) erases all balls accumulated prior to that strike (for example: The batter has a 3 balls and no strike count, the next pitch is a called strike. The count becomes 0 balls and 1 strike). Once two strikes are reached, foul balls will not erase balls. The purpose of this rule is to get the batters to be more aggressive at the plate and more used to batting off of kids pitching. If a player gets four balls he will earn a walk and will be granted first base. Three hit batters by the same pitcher in the same game will result in the removal of that pitcher for the rest of that game. They may be placed at any other position in the field.

Pitchers may pitch from a temporary rubber placed no closer than 42 feet (which will be measured and installed prior to AA games) to home plate. It will be determined prior to the beginning of the inning the distance at which the pitcher is able to deliver strikes without impacting their mechanics (for example: if the pitcher can effectively reach the catcher by moving in two feet, then the temporary rubber shall be placed at 44 feet from home plate). However if a player can reach from the regular pitching mound without impacting his or her mechanics, that pitcher will pitch from the regular mound.

Pitch counts will be as follows:

League age 8- 50 pitches

League age 7- 40 pitches

League age 6- 30 Pitches

BASES ALLOWED ON A HIT BALL

On a hit ball the runner may not advance past the next base when the ball returns to the infield. Runners may not advance as a result of an overthrow.

BASE STEALING

Base stealing is not allowed including on an overthrown ball to another base. No extra bases shall be taken on an overthrow to any bases.

FOUR RUN RULE

A half inning shall be completed when the team at bat scores four (4) runs before the defensive team gets three (3) outs.

PLAYING TIME

All players must sit before any player sits twice. Each player shall have the opportunity to play at different defensive positions each game. SAFETY is the highest priority when the Manager or Coach positions their players on the field. Only the nine defensive positions will be fielded at any time and players should be positioned in traditional fielding positions.

TIME LIMIT

No new inning may begin following the 1 ½ hour mark of the game start.

STANDINGS

There are no standings or win/loss records in the A Division and there are no forfeits. All games are played regardless of absentees.

UMPIRES

Umpires for AA games are comprised of 11 and 12 year old Majors players. Any arguing with these umpires is a mandatory 3 game suspension with a hearing in front of the board prior to returning to the team, including practices. Managers may only discuss calls to teach the rules of the game, but umpire ruling is final unless it’s an evident error agreed upon by both managers and umpires involved.

Triple A

PITCHING

Players pitch.

Three (3) hit batters allowed per game, mandatory removal from pitching for that game.

NO 12 year old pitchers.

NO intentional walks.

Both teams must sign the pitch count log

Coaches are allowed to go to the mound to speak with the pitcher or to a pitcher/catcher combination. NO TEAM conferences allowed. Manager is allowed TWO visits per pitcher; pitcher must be removed on 3rd visit.

**New** A strike will erase balls one time only per at-bat during the regular season. (example 1: a strike thrown on a 2-0 count reverts the count to 0-1 then the at bat continues as “normal” from that point. example 2: on a first pitch strike the count continues as a “normal” at bat”).

Bunting is allowed. Slashing is prohibited and the batter is out. (Slashing is when a batter squares to bunt to draw the players in and then tries to hit the baseball).

BASE RUNNING

Maximum of 3 successful steals per inning (Attempted steals are not considered a stolen base).

Each individual runner that advances to another base is considered (1) steal (e.g. runners on 1st and 2nd and they both successfully steal at the same time counts as (2) steals.

If the catcher attempts to throw out a runner during the act of stealing a base, the runner CANNOT advance ANY additional bases.

If the catcher throws the ball to a base that is already occupied, any base runners may advance at their own risk a maximum one (1) base, and will not count as a steal.

If the catcher over throws the baseball back to the pitcher, the runners can advance at their own risk. This is considered advancement on an error and will NOT count as a steal. The advancing Player may advance only one base.

Runners on 1st and 3rd, catcher throws down to 2nd base, runner on 3rd is allowed to steal home. (If both are successful this is considered 2 stolen bases).

PLAY STOPS when pitcher has possession of the baseball and is inside the circle of the mound and the baseball play is completed.

No delayed stealing is allowed.

**Clarification** A base runner must slide into home when attempting to avoid a tag and there is a clear attempt at making a play at the plate. (for example: Runners on 1st and 3rd, catcher throws to second base, runner on 3rd goes home and there is no throw back the runner does not need to slide).

FIVE RUN RULE

A half inning shall be completed when the team at bat scores five (5) runs before the defensive team gets three (3) outs, except in the last inning. The last inning is over after three outs or the entire line-up bats through once in that inning.

MERCY RULE

Ten run rule is in effect after 4 innings. 3½ if home team is in the lead.

PLAYING TIME

All Players are to play at least ½ of each game they participate in and may not sit for consecutive innings.

TIME LIMIT

Last inning is to be called at the top of the next inning following the 1 ½ Hour mark of the game start.

STANDINGS

Standings for regular season are not kept. All teams are entered into a round-robin tournament for playoffs and placements will be determined by random drawing.

UMPIRES

Umpires are comprised of 13 through 17 year olds. Only Managers may discuss calls with an umpire. Any arguing (above what a normal person would consider a discussion) with an umpire is a mandatory one game suspension.

Majors

PITCHING

Kids pitch.

Three (3) hit batters allowed per game, mandatory removal from pitching for that game.

NO intentional walks.

Both teams must sign the pitch count log

Coaches are allowed to go to the mound to speak with the pitcher or to a pitcher/catcher combination. NO TEAM conferences allowed. Manager is allowed TWO visits per pitcher; pitcher must be removed on 3rd visit.

Pitch counts:

11-12 - 85 pitches per day9-10 - 75 pitches per day

BATTING

Bunting is allowed. Slashing is prohibited and the batter is out. (Slashing is when a batter squares to bunt to draw the players in and then tries to hit the baseball).

After entering the batter’s box, the batter must remain in the box with at least on foot throughout the at bat. Exceptions:

On a swing, slap bunt, or check swing.

When forced out of the box by a pitch.

When the batter attempts a “drag bunt.”

When the catcher does not catch the pitched ball.

When a play has been attempted.

When time has been called

When the pitcher leaves the dirt area of the pitching mound or takes a position more than five feet from the pitcher’s rubber after receiving the ball or the catcher leaves the catcher’s box.

On a three ball count pitch that is a strike that the batter thinks is a ball.

Stepping out between pitches for an extended length of time to receive a sign or get reset will result in a reminder from the umpire. No penalty will be incurred during regular season. This is to get batters used to this rule that will be enforced during tournament play.

BASE RUNNING

No stealing second on a walk as well as not advancing 2 bases on a walk.

MERCY RULE

Ten-run rule is in effect after 4 innings. 3 ½ if home team is in the lead.

PLAYING TIME

All Players are to play at least ½ of each game they participate in and may not sit for consecutive innings.

TIME LIMIT

First game of two night games only: No new inning after 2 hours. No pitch after 2:20.

STANDINGS

Standings are kept. All teams are seeded according to regular season record and entered into a round-robin tournament for playoffs.

UMPIRES

Majors use a professional umpire association. Any ejection by an umpire is a mandatory one game suspension.